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The final decision to board your pet at a specific kennel is usually made based upon your impressions of the kennel personnel. Our friendly, hospitable, knowledgeable, and animal loving staff exude warmth and confidence, and will treat your pet as good or better than any other kennel in Wisconsin!
The most common pet to be boarded is the canine. Dogs require a high level of care on a daily basis. They need frequent potty breaks and human interaction. When traveling without your dog, it is essential that your pet receive complete care. Boarding here at Marwood's Countryside Kennel is the perfect solution for almost any dog, even problematic and aggressive ones. Here at Marwood's Kennels we have the knowledge and care to ensure you have a very happy pet when you return, no matter the length of time you may be gone. (Back to Top)
How to choose a kennel sitter?
Where to Look:
- Get word of mouth recommendations! Ask your friends and families where they board their pets.
- Check your local veterinarian offices and grooming shops. Often they can recommend reputable boarding kennel facilities.
- Visit local kennels and ask to tour the facilities. If an open house is advertised, try to take advantage of the opportunity to scope out a potential place to board your pet.
- Check the Internet. Chances are, when a kennel is wired to the web, it is a sign that the facility is modern and offers a wide range of services to clients. Plus, photos are usually included. So, if a visit is not possible, you can still get a feel for what the kennel is like.
- Scan the newspapers and local business directories. Busy kennels earn more advertising dollars. (Back to Top)
What to Look For:
- Run size and design. Runs should be roomy and secure. They should be constructed out of concrete or concrete block with solid partitions. Runs should be indoor/outdoor with a kennel controlled access door between interior and exterior spaces.
- Climate control. Runs should be appropriately heated and/or cooled based on location and common weather conditions for the region.
- Sanitation. Runs should be clean and an effective sanitation system for dog waste should be present. Floor gutters, for example, are a better waste solution than providing only manual waste pick-up.
- Exercise areas. Dogs should have the option of freedom of movement in a larger space such as inside an exercise yard. Housebroken dogs also appreciate using this separate space to eliminate instead of soiling inside the run.
- Overall Condition. The facility should be in good repair.
- Included services. Basic kennel services should always provide adequate food, two or more short, outdoor exercise sessions, administration of any owner provided medications, bedding and dog snacks and toys. However, owners should always be encouraged to bring preferred food and snacks and a toy or favorite blanket from home always reduces the stress on your pet while staying in a foreign place.
- Extra services. Full service kennels often offer grooming, playtime and limited vaccinations for clients for an additional fee.
- Personnel. Often, the final decision to board your pet at a specific kennel is made based upon your impressions of the kennel personnel. Friendly, hospitable and knowledgeable staff who exude warmth and confidence are more likely to treat your pet well. (Back to Top)
When to Board:
- Dogs. The most common pet to be boarded is the canine. Dogs require a high level of care on a daily basis. They need frequent potty breaks and human interaction. Leave a dog alone for just 1 day and night and the dog will leave waste to clean up and may even chew and/or scratch up your things out of boredom and sometimes anger. When traveling without your dog, it is essential that your pet receive complete care. Boarding is an appropriate option for most dogs, even problematic and aggressive ones. In-home dog care should only be used if you have complete confidence that your dog-sitter will tend to your pet with the frequency you require. Keep in mind that dog-sitting services are also much more expensive than boarding your pet.
- Cats. Cats are perhaps the next most common boarded pet. Usually, cats can be left home alone for 24 or 48 hours when provided adequate food and water and access to a litter box. For longer periods of time it is recommended to arrange for care. Boarding is a good option if your cat is used to people and activity. Cats tend to stress out easily and boarding is stressful. Pets needing medication or special care may also need the expertise of a boarding kennel to help them stay healthy. The best solution for cat care when you are away is in-home care. Considering the cat?s natural independence and tendency to get stressed easily, the less disruption in its routine, the better. In-home care requires only 1 visit a day or every other day and is therefore less expensive than dog-sitting.
- Birds. Birds are rarely boarded and should only be taken to facilities that specialize in avian care.
- Other Furry Pets. Rabbits, rats, guinea pigs and hamsters, etc. deal with boarding just fine, but are not typical boarders. In order to board this kind of pet, all of its equipment and containment system must be transported to the boarding facility.
- Scaly Pets. Snakes, lizards and other exotic species generally should not be boarded. The species? specific climate and special handling needs make it risky for both the pet and the kennel personnel.
- Livestock. Some kennel facilities are able to take pigs, goats and even horses. In the event your barnyard pet cannot stay at home, a kennel with the proper environment is an appropriate option. (Back to Top)
When You Are Ready to Board at the Kennel:
- Bring vaccination records. Reputable kennels require proof of vaccinations, especially of airborne, contagious diseases.
- Leave emergency contacts. While most kennels use a house vet, it is always a wise idea to leave your personal vet info, as well as, your cell or out of town phone number.
- Provide pet schedules. Your pet is used to a certain routine. Talk with your kennel provider about feeding, exercising and medicating your pet.
- Home away from home. Don?t forget to leave some reminder of home with your pet ? a blanket or pillow, or perhaps a teddy bear.
- Food. Bring at least one day?s food supply, but enough for the duration of boarding is better. Your pet will thank you for it. Switching to new food, even high quality food, is many times tough on the digestive system. (Back to Top)
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